Current Uses and Operations:
Reservoir Background
Reservoir Storage/Flood Control
Water Deliveries
Water Transfers
Fisheries Flows
Hydro-power
Recent operating challenges
Concerns for future operations
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Reservoir Background
Stampede Dam was completed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in 1970
as part of the Washoe Project. The dam (the second largest on the Truckee
River), was initially constructed to serve primarily agricultural and municipal
water uses. Once the dam was constructed, however, the reservoir fell subject
to extensive discussion in the interstate compact negotiations. These negotiations
determined that the Endangered Species Act took precedence over the contract
to supply Carson-Truckee Water Conservancy District with the reservoir
yield, and Stampede has instead been used to provide spawning flows for
Pyramid Lake fish. (Incidental reservoir uses include recreation and flood
control.) Furthermore, Stampede is the only reservoir in the Truckee watershed
that has a hydroelectric powerplant. The plant was added in 1988 and has
the capacity to produce 3.65 megawatts.
Reservoir Storage/Flood Control
During the flood season, November 1 through April 10, the storage has
to be maintained below 204,400 acre-ft. This is variable in the spring
depending on the given snow pack (i.e. a small snowpack allows operators
to start filling the reservoir earlier). Once the threat of flooding
is reduced, excess water above the flood capacity is stored in the reservoir.
Since Boca can store surcharged water above the spillway and Stampede has
an uncontrolled spillway, Stampede is filled after Boca.
Water Deliveries
The water is released in the Truckee River for Pyramid Lake. Enough
water is released to meet flood protection needs in the fall.
Water Transfers
Stampede Reservoir is not used as frequently as Boca for water transfers,
although water transfers between Stampede, Boca, and Independence are common.
Fisheries Flows
A minimum flow of 30 cfs has to be maintained from the dam to maintain
fisheries in the Little Truckee River. All water released from the reservoir
is currently used for fisheries in Pyramid Lake.
Hydro-Power
Stampede hydro plant has the capacity to produce 3.65 megawatts. Water
is always directed through the hydro plant if possible. The value of the
power produced is approximately $50,000 per year.
Recent operating challenges
As with other nearby reservoirs, operators are currently challenged
with a high snow runoff factor due to late snowfall. This mandates that
more storage remain in the reservoir beyond the flood season, which could
pose challenges in meeting the demands of downstream users.
In addtion a bypass valve on the penstocks will have to be replaced this summer. To accomplish this, the penstocks will have to be shut down and drained. Since instream flows must be met in the creek, the reservoir will be brought to spill and water will be delivered to the creek using the spillway.